The man accused of attacking a police officer in Falls Township on Monday morning was charged in the incident after the District Attorney’s office was consulted.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
John Wentz Jr., 46, who is homeless, was charged Tuesday two counts of aggravated assault and single counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Lt. Todd Pletnick said the charges came Tuesday after police consulted the District Attorney’s Office on whether to charge the man, who is apparently suffering from mental health issues.
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LevittownNow.com was first to report on Monday that Wentz was accused of attacking a patrolman dispatched to the Oxford Point Shopping Center at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Oxford Valley Road for a man who was “talking to the sky” and rambling about his parents being killed.
Upon arrival, the officer ran Wentz’s name and discovered he had a warrant for a DUI-related parole violation, according to police and court papers.
The officer approached Wentz to arrest him and the 46-year-old then lunged at him, police said. An alleged altercation ensued and Wentz grabbed for the officer’s taser.
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Additional patrol cars arrived and three to four officers were able to bring the Wentz under control. Pletnick said one officer used a flashlight to strike Wentz’s hand after he refused to drop several rocks.
A woman who witnessed the incident filed a police brutality complaint against the officers with the Bucks County District Attorney’s office on Monday. Pletnick said the officer was unhurt in the incident and has been cleared on any wrongdoing.
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Wentz was taken to Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol Township on an involuntary mental health commitment after the incident.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
